it's a moment as thrilling as when James flies off in the Giant Peach.

Recommend this book to readers who like the Books of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau.' -VOYA 'Combines a great fondness for animals with an appreciation of the freakish.' -Kirkus Reviews 'An enchanted adventure with a message of empowerment and hope that ought to sweep readers along.' -Booklist 'When ninety-nine pigeons smash through the windows of Kester's prison and carry him North to the last of the animals.

Highly recommended' -The Times (UK), An Indie Next List Selection 'A hugely inventive adventure.' -Eoin Colfer 'Splended stuff.' -Eva Ibbotson 'A whimsical yet thoughtful tale that brings to mind the smarts and silliness of Roald Dahl and Norton Juster.' -The New York Post * 'Alternately somber, thrilling, and silly, filled with eccentric human and animal characters with distinctive voices.' -Publishers Weekly, starred review 'Should have broad appeal. Recommend this book to readers who like the Books of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau.' -VOYA 'Combines a great fondness for animals with an appreciation of the freakish.' -Kirkus Reviews 'An enchanted adventure with a message of empowerment and hope that ought to sweep readers along.' -Booklist 'When ninety-nine pigeons smash through the windows of Kester's prison and carry him North to the last of the animalsâ€¦. “Alternately somber, thrilling, and silly.An Indie Next List Selection 'A hugely inventive adventure.' -Eoin Colfer 'Splended stuff.' -Eva Ibbotson 'A whimsical yet thoughtful tale that brings to mind the smarts and silliness of Roald Dahl and Norton Juster.' -The New York Post * 'Alternately somber, thrilling, and silly, filled with eccentric human and animal characters with distinctive voices.' -Publishers Weekly, starred review 'Should have broad appeal. The reserved narrative tone and tender yet peculiar view of animals give this piece its own offbeat flavor.” “Combines a great fondness for animals with an appreciation of the freakish….

'When ninety-nine pigeons smash through the windows of Kester's prison and carry him North to the last of the animals…. Only Kester, with the aid of a stubborn, curious girl named Polly, can help them survive. Then one night, a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach come to help him escape, and he discovers that he can speak-to them. He’s been locked away in a home for troubled children and is unable to speak a word. In a world where animals are slowly fading into extinction, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes feels as if he hardly exists either. Eoin Colfer, New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series

The Last Wild by Piers Torday